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The Centurion Lounge London Heathrow
On a recent trip back home from London Heathrow (LHR) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ), I had the pleasure of flying Emirates First Class. However, my positioning flight from LHR to Dubai (DXB) was in Emirates Economy, so I couldn’t access Emirates lounges. Fortunately, my American Express Platinum Card gave me access to The Centurion Lounge London Heathrow in the same terminal as my flight. This lounge provided a convenient place to relax before the long journey home, so here’s a detailed account of my experience.
Entrance – The Centurion Lounge LHR
The Centurion Lounge LHR – Location
The American Express Centurion Lounge London Heathrow is in Terminal 3, Area A. After clearing security and passing through duty-free, follow the signs to Area A and look for the Ted Baker retail store. The lounge is located right next to it, accessible via a set of elevators. Its central location in Terminal 3 makes it very convenient for travellers flying out of this terminal, including Emirates passengers.
Adjacent to Ted Baker
Elevator to Level 2
The Centurion Lounge LHR – Seating and Amenities
When entering the Centurion Lounge at Heathrow, the first thing that strikes you is the design—white ceilings, white marble floors, and stylish wall paintings. It’s a beautiful, modern space, though it notably lacks windows or views of the tarmac, which was a bit disappointing for an aviation enthusiast like myself.
Concierge Desk
Hallway entering the lounge
Wall Paintings
Upon entering, a comfortable seating area is to the left, with lounge chairs and two private phone rooms where guests can make calls. This section includes booth seating and a television displaying BBC News with captions, though no sound. This area had a calm atmosphere, making it ideal for those needing a bit of quiet before their flight.
Lounge Seating
Private Phone Booths
TV Area
More Seating around the Bar
Moving further into the lounge, you reach the main dining area, where the buffet is set up. Adjacent to this area, there are additional dining tables and couches where you can enjoy your meal. Toward the back of this dining section is a coffee station with enough caffeine options to keep you going. Interestingly, a wellness cart nearby offered “wellness beverages” in shot glasses—I highly recommend the beetroot shot, which was a refreshing touch.
Wellness Shots
More Seating towards the back of the lounge
To the left of the lounge’s main seating areas is a VIP area exclusively for Centurion Cardholders. Nearby is a family room with yoga mats and a changing station, which is well-suited for travellers with children.
Reserved Area – Centurion Card holders only
The bathrooms are at the back of the lounge, including two shower rooms for freshening up. Unfortunately, I encountered a few quirks—no urinals in the men’s restroom (only stalls), and Wi-Fi did not seem to work in that area, which was a minor inconvenience.
Lounge washroom
While the lounge didn’t have a dedicated kid’s play area, I discovered a wonderful children’s area just a few steps outside the lounge. This section, open to all families, features a changing room, nursing area, sensory room, and a fun play zone for kids under 10. When I visited, it was quite busy with children and their parents, which is likely why I didn’t take any photos out of respect for privacy. However, a quick search online will give you a good sense of the area if you’re interested.
Kids Area – outside the Lounge
The Centurion Lounge LHR – Food and Drinks
During my visit, the lounge served lunch, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of the food. The cold section featured a variety of salads—cauliflower and potato soup, beetroot salad, Tabbouleh, and Fattoush—alongside cheeses, sliced fruit cups, wraps, cucumber finger sandwiches, and fresh fruit. The hot food options included a stir-fried chicken dish, lamb, gnocchi, roasted carrots, Chana Masala, coconut rice, steamed vegetables, and fresh bread.
Coffee Station
Buffet Area
Buffett – Cold Section
Sandwich and Cheese selection
Buffet – Hot lunch section
Lunch – Bread options
Lunch Buffet – Salads
The drink options were equally impressive. The bar is located next to the buffet, and while I was initially disappointed not to find my go-to “Blue Door” cocktail on the menu, I did enjoy a few of the lounge’s signature cocktails. I tried the Bella Vitta and the Breakfast Martini, made with tea and orange marmalade and shaken, not stirred—a fun nod to the classic James Bond martini. The cocktail menu here had different offerings than US-based Centurion Lounges, adding a nice variety to the experience.
Lounge Bar
Lounge Bar
Cocktail – Bella Vitta
Cocktail – Breakfast Martini
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Centurion Lounge London Heathrow was a great place to unwind before a long flight. The main downside was the lack of windows and views of the planes, but the beautiful interior, ample seating, and wellness amenities made up for that. The food selection was better than what I’ve experienced at many Centurion Lounges in the U.S., and I appreciated the variety of cocktails unique to this location.
While it wasn’t my favourite Centurion Lounge (that title still goes to Atlanta), the Heathrow lounge offers a solid experience, especially for those with an American Express Platinum card who frequently travel through this busy airport. If you’re considering getting an Amex Platinum card and often fly out of hubs with Centurion Lounges, the lounge access benefit alone is a strong reason to justify the card’s annual fee.
Bon Voyage! 😊
